Lewis Hamilton questions a technical detail seen at Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes, and asks Ferrari to investigate quickly to close the gap.
The Miami weekend not only brought lessons on track for Formula 1, it also raised questions within the Ferrari camp.
Despite a significant package of upgrades introduced on the car — no less than eleven new features — the Italian team has not really widened the gap with its direct competitors. On the contrary, the progress observed elsewhere caught Lewis Hamilton’s attention.
The seven-time world champion believes that some teams have found a more significant gain, notably McLaren and Red Bull.
A visible difference on the front wings
It is a specific element that attracted the Briton’s attention: the design of the front wings. According to him, several top teams are using a different approach, which could explain part of their performance.
“Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull are doing something different with the front wing compared to us” he explained, pointing out a difference in technical philosophy.
Without going into details, Hamilton highlights that this difference is visible to the naked eye, suggesting it is not a simple minor adjustment but a potentially key design choice.
A clear internal request
Faced with this observation, the Ferrari driver wants his team to quickly explore this avenue. The goal is simple: to understand if this technical choice can be replicated — or improved — to gain performance.
“We need to look at this more closely to see if there is something to improve” he insisted, implying that Ferrari could be missing an important lever.
This stance also shows Hamilton’s direct involvement in the car’s development, as he does not hesitate to guide technical research.
Increasingly sharp competition
The problem for Ferrari is that its rivals are not standing still. Each team progresses at its own pace, sometimes with gains larger than expected.
Hamilton notably mentions McLaren, whose upgrades have apparently exceeded expectations in terms of efficiency. A situation that contrasts with the more measured feedback from Ferrari.
In this context, even a substantial package can quickly seem insufficient compared to more targeted or better exploited innovations.
Canada already in the sights
As Mercedes prepares a major update for the next race in Canada, Ferrari cannot afford any mistakes.
The Scuderia must now understand what works for its rivals to stay in the fight. In a season where gaps are tight, every technical detail can tip the hierarchy. And apparently, for Hamilton, the answer could well be hidden… at the front of the car.